Six Days of Festivals and Events from September 8-13 Culminating With First-Ever Harbor Day Will Honor 400th Anniversary of Henry Hudson's Arrival and Celebrate City's Revitalized Waterfront and Continued Friendship with the Dutch

Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg, United States
Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton, First Deputy Mayor Patricia E.
Harris, Deputy Mayor for Economic Development Robert C. Lieber and NYC &
Company CEO George Fertitta this morning welcomed Their Royal Highnesses the
Prince of Orange and Princess Máxima of The Netherlands to New York City to kick
off NY400 Week at the Intrepid Sea, Air & Space Museum. NY400 Week, which
runs from September 8-13, is a citywide celebration of events and activities to
mark the 400th anniversary of Henry Hudson's arrival on a Dutch ship at the
shores of what is now New York Harbor in September 1609. New Yorkers and
visitors will enjoy Dutch festivals, sailing races, dance parties, free bike
rentals, museum exhibitions and other activities on land and sea as they
celebrate the shared history and connections of New York City and the Dutch.
NY400 Week culminates with the first-ever Harbor Day on Sunday, September 13 at
six waterfront sites across the City.

"Henry Hudson arrived on these shores 400
years ago and helped lay the foundation for what would later become New York
City," said Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg. "New York City's history has early and
deep connections with the Dutch, and - with the City welcoming a record 241,000
visitors from the Netherlands last year - that relationship continues to
flourish. NY400 Week will be a historic celebration of the Hudson anniversary
and New York City's Dutch ties. I encourage all New Yorkers and visitors to
enjoy the festivals, concerts, artistic exhibitions and special events taking
place in the five boroughs. And I'm grateful to The Royal Family and all of
NY400 week's supporters for making it possible."

"Princess Máxima and I are overwhelmed with
this tremendous welcoming to New York," said His Royal Highness the Prince of
Orange. "It is wonderful to still be able to see the Dutch influences
across the City, from transportation and art to music and food. This great city
was built on the values of the early Dutch-American pioneers in New Amsterdam
that we still share with you today: a passion for liberty, an entrepreneurial
spirit, freedom of conscience, and the unwavering belief that everyone has the
right to the pursuit of happiness. We are looking forward to experiencing a bit
of home in all of this week's festivities."

"NY400 Week and Harbor Day will celebrate
and commemorate this iconic moment in New York City's history-we are honored to
have worked so closely with the Dutch government over the last year to ensure
that we acknowledge this important cultural and commercial connection and ensure
its lasting legacy," said George Fertitta, NYC & Company's CEO.

During the opening ceremony, a flotilla of
11 ships comprised of NATO vessels, Dutch naval frigates, a US frigate, Dutch
barges, Flying Dutchman racers, yachts and a replica of Hudson's 'Halve Maen'
('Half Moon') and Captain Block's 'Onrust' sailed past the former USS Intrepid
on the Hudson River. A 21-gun salute came from the Dutch naval ship HNLMS Tromp
and the 75-member Marine Band of the Royal Netherlands Navy performed to mark
the 400th anniversary.

At the first-ever Harbor Day on Sunday,
September 13, New Yorkers and visitors will enjoy a colorful flotilla of 86
different ships, an Oyster Festival, free bike rentals, Super Powerboat races,
outdoor concerts, Dutch films, performances direct from Holland, and other
celebrations at six of the City's waterfronts: The Battery, Battery Park City,
Hudson River Park, Governors Island, Brooklyn Bridge Park and Snug Harbor.
Harbor Day will become an annual event to signify the progress New York City has
made in reclaiming its waterfront and opening harbor parks and
greenways.

In January, Mayor Bloomberg, Cabinet
Minister Frans Timmermans and Amsterdam Mayor Job Cohen announced a year of
special celebrations, events and performances, which would take place in both
New York and Amsterdam, to celebrate the 400th anniversary of Hudson's arrival
in New York. NY400 is the result of an initiative by the Dutch Government in
close co-operation with Dutch local and provincial authorities, with New York
City and New York State, and with active participation of a great number of
organizations from the private, cultural and not-for-profit sectors. NY400 is
being paid through a $10 million fund of the Dutch government. Last year New
York City welcomed a record 241,000 visitors from the Netherlands, surpassing
the record 181,000 visitors in 2007. New York City is the number one
destination for Dutch travelers to the U.S. The Dutch market represented
more than $455 million in spending power in 2008, up from $328 million in
2007.

For a full guide of the NY400 and Harbor Day
events and other information, including hours and directions, visit www.nyc.gov or call 311.